Laurel and Hardy's Fabulous Fables (1956)
This is a series of TV specials that was supposed to be rehearsed and aired in 1956.
Stan Laurel was recovering from a stroke he had in April 1955, but then tragedy struck when Oliver Hardy had a stroke of his own that left him paralyzed in September 1956.
Now onto what would have been the TV show "Laurel and Hardy's Fabulous Fables".
Note: This is my own interpretation. There are samples of Stan's scripts in "The Comedy World of Stan Laurel" but unfortunately I do not have the book.
I do not own any of this, I'm just a fan with a creative mind, who wanted to create a "What if" story.
"What if they hadn't gotten sick and made their planned tv series?"
What if they were healthy enough to continue working.
WHAT IF THEY COULD CHANGE THEIR DESTINY AND ALTER THEIR FUTURE?
chapter 1: A look into their Future (what if)
2. Rob Em Good 1936 (robin hood)
3. Galaxy of the Stars 1945 (L&H in space)
4. Rogue Song 1947 (expanded 1930 version)
5. Babes in the woods (1949) (hansel & gretel)
6. A Spot of Trouble (1952)
mini story (Hats Off 1927) with an ostrich
7. Devils Island (1954)
8. The Red Mill (1956)
9. Me and My Shadow (1958)
10. By Jupiter (1960)
11. A Salute to Roach and Griffith (1962)
This first little blurb is a what if Stan and Ollie had an unexpected occurrence.
They had a once in a lifetime chance to look into a mirror of the future.
(A real mirror that showed each of them their future and their future was able to look at their past in the present.)
...Tell me that again
Anyway On to the Show.
Time period 1935 (Shown 1940-1965)
Stan and Ollie were in a room called "The Room of Mirrors".
These mirrors were supposed to show you your future on the day of a lunar eclipse.
They saw their split up with Hal.
Stan wondered if the split was because of the recent disagreement they had on March of the Wooden Soldiers.
They saw their movies from the 40's.
Stan cringed at what he was seeing.
Ollie stayed silent, observing the situation.
They saw their tours in Europe.
They smiled at that because they were well received and loved over in Europe.
Then they saw Atoll K.
Stan and Ollie looked very frightened.
They noted their failing health in their final movie.
Stan was especially horrified at his time in the hospital in France during the movie.
After their final movie, the boys were so ashamed.
Then Stan's stroke in 1954; they realized they would never get to revive the Laurel and Hardy name.
Stan felt extremely self conscious for his future self.
Stan got better and the young versions of the boys became hopeful for their expected tv series in 1956.
Then Ollie had his horrific stroke in 1956.
The boys' dreams were crushed but they were more worried on the fate of their future selves, especially in Ollie's condition.
They both feared for Ollie's future health.
Ollie became paralyzed.
The boys watched with tears in their eyes, as future Ollie suffered with paralysis.
They saw future Stan cry during his visits to Ollie, both so helpless.
They never saw their bond fade, always strong, always present.
The love that they had for each other grew stronger.
They vowed to always be there for each other.
Always….. even in death, they were together.
Ollie died in 1957.
Stan never felt so alone.
Stan continued living, mostly as a recluse.
He never went outside after his stroke and especially not after Ollie died.
He couldn't face the world without Ollie.
They watched Stan win his Oscar in 1961.
A lingering sadness in both time periods that Ollie wasn't with him.
One thing never changed, Stan always wrote to his fans.
He was always at his typewriter, watching the ocean, or with his grandchildren.
Then Stan's health began to decline.
The 1930's Stan and Ollie watched with sadness as old Stan's (Mr. Laurel) health worsened.
Then they both touched the mirror at the same time.
Young Stan and Ollie were sucked through the mirror into the future.
They looked at Mr. Laurel with surprise.
Mr. Laurel looked at them with sad eyes.
"Hello Stan and Babe." He said.
"How are we here?" Ollie said.
"Babe, I can't explain it myself, it just happened." Mr. Laurel answered.
"We know what happens to my future self." Ollie said.
Mr. Laurel sighed, tears in his eyes.
"I miss you Babe." His voice broke.
Ollie went over and gave Mr. Laurel a hug.
"I'm always with you even when I'm not here." Ollie said.
Mr. Laurel smiled and wiped his tears.
Young Stan watched, his heart aching for he knew what the future held.
Mr. Laurel looked at Stan and smiled.
"Looks like you could use a hug as well. I never thought a word without Babe was possible. Enjoy the time you have together now, time is precious." Mr. Laurel said wisely.
Mr. Laurel's time was drawing near.
"I will soon join Babe once again. Don't you worry." He said.
Ollie reached over and grabbed Stan's hand.
Stan held firmly to Ollie's hand, as if afraid he would disappear at this moment.
Mr. Laurel smiled at this, their bond grew stronger.
Then they could all hear old Babe's (Mr. Hardy) voice from heaven,
"Life is precious, enjoy the moments while you can. We will always be together."
The three of them smiled at that.
Mr. Laurel looked at his Oscar, "Babe this award is ours to share. I never stopped loving and missing you."
Then Mr. Laurel closed his eyes and drifted off, joining Mr. Hardy once more.
At that same moment, Stan and Ollie were transported back to their own time.
In unison, Stan and Ollie said "We will always be together, even in death."
Then they hugged each other, tears fell, and their bond grew stronger.
They saw how beloved they were to fans, but what was more important was the love they had for each other.
What we shared will never die. We will be together by and by, Goodbye Babe Goodbye.
*Now they know their future and are out to change their destiny.
* These movies are a result of their resolution to stick with Hal.
They are healthy enough to continue working.
Now onto the first episode: Rob Em Good